Planning and Research Manager
 

The Washington State Lottery is seeking candidates for the Olympia-based position of Planning and Research Manager. The agency was created by action of the State Legislature in July of 1982.  Its mission is to generate the maximum amount of net revenues using strategies consistent with the general welfare of the people and the dignity of the state.  Lottery activities are aimed at incrementally growing sales to meet revenue commitments. The Washington State Lottery is governed by a Commission of five members appointed by the Governor. For more information, interested applicants are encouraged to visit the agency’s website at www.wa.gov/lot.

Role
The Planning and Research Manager ensures that the Lottery has appropriate objective information upon which to make successful, fact-based business decisions based on sound research techniques and thorough, objective analyses.  The Planning and Research Manager is also responsible for the management and supervision of the Planning and Research staff.

Responsibilities
The Manager of Planning and Research is responsible for:

Planning:
    directs research and planning activities
    provides leadership in areas including long-term planning, long term sales forecasting, identifying and evaluating new product and product enhancement opportunities

Research and Analysis:
    conducts research and financial analyses to determine feasibility of new marketing activities and measure the performance of current ones
    develops regression models to measure impact of marketing activities on sales, then conducts financial analyses to determine impact of activities on lottery profits
    develops revenue projections
    designs, collects and analyzes research to make recommendations regarding product enhancements, new products and strategic direction
    leads process of new game design, including developing concepts, conducting and analyzing market research, sales forecasting and implementation strategies
    conducts financial analyses and sales forecasts, based on sales and profit scenarios in order to make recommendations to executive management regarding jackpot levels

Management and Supervision:
    proposes priorities for research
    establishes and maintains two-way communication with executive management to ensure research effectively supports agency decision-making
    participates in vendor selection
    supervises planning and research staff and ensures that staff are well-trained, motivated and challenged
    manages contract research efforts, including instrument design, demographic population analysis and assessment of results (includes developing and managing an annual budget of $300,000)
    directs the gathering of statistics from other lotteries, updates to the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries’ database and surveys of other lotteries as necessary

Desirable Qualifications:
The Lottery is most interested in candidates who meet or exceed the following criteria:
    A Bachelor’s degree in business administration or allied field and five years’ experience performing market research, sales forecasting, statistical data and program planning analysis; knowledge of gaming industry preferred
    Thorough knowledge and understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methodology and the skills to plan, organize and present ideas in a comprehensive manner
    Knowledge of and experience with marketing principles, project management involving market research, new product development and sales forecasting
    Familiarity with statistics, with emphasis on probabilities and regression analysis
    Knowledge of financial analysis techniques, particularly break-even and cost-benefit analysis
    Ability to prepare and present technical data, computerized spreadsheets, databases and graphic presentations
    Ability to use original, independent judgment, see the “big picture” and assist the Lottery in developing and meeting its long-range strategic plan
    Strong communication skills and ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with other employees, vendors, retailers and the public

Compensation:
This position reports to the Deputy Director and is exempt from civil service law.  The range of annual compensation for this position is $52,740-$66,610 depending on qualifications.  Washington State has a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement, and an optional deferred compensation program.

Application Procedure:
Those interested in this position may apply by submitting a current resume, a complete list of five or more personal and professional references, a letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement, and the optional affirmative action information request, which is attached to this document.  Please send all application materials to:

[NOTE: Because of the agency’s need for security and confidentiality, background investigations are conducted on finalists.  A background investigation is part of the pre-employment process and does not constitute a commitment to employment.  All employees are fingerprinted upon employment.]

All material must be received by January 25, 2002. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.  Candidate evaluation will be ongoing, and it may be to the applicant’s advantage to submit materials expeditiously.  Electronic application packages must be in MS Word format.  The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants wishing assistance or alternative formats in the process should contact Linda Riggle at (360) 664-1951, E-mail: lindar@dop.wa.gov, or TDD at (360) 664-6211.
 
Voluntary Affirmative Action Information

Name:________________________________
If you have decided to apply for this position, Executive Search Services would appreciate your voluntary cooperation in responding to the questions below. This information will assist ESS in evaluating recruitment and outreach efforts and is strictly confidential.

Please check or write appropriate responses.
1. What race or culture do you consider yourself? If you are more than one race, please circle “Other Race”.
Chinese ___   Vietnamese ___   Filipino ___  Hawaiian___  Asian Indian___
Japanese___   Korean___  Cambodian___   Samoan___  Laotian___
Guamanian___  Black___  White___  Eskimo___ Aleut___ Spanish___ Latino(a)___ Hispanic(b)___
 
Other race (specify): _________________________________________

American Indian (what tribe?): __________________________________

2.  Are you: Male___  Female___

3.  Have you ever been on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services?
Yes___ (if circled, SEE 3a and 3b)      No___

      3a.  Dates served:  from _____/_____   to  _____/_____
 
      3b.  Are you a disabled veteran?  Yes___   (%_____)      No___

4.  Do you have a physical, sensory, or mental condition that substantially limits any of your major life functions, such as working, caring for yourself, walking, doing things with your hands, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning?   Yes___     No___